Chapter 141
What do I do! What do I do!
That Demonkind man must find my existence unacceptable!
Pastel felt a little wronged, but at the same time, thinking about the past history of the Kraft Family building a Military Academy on the Sky Island Demon Holy Land, she could understand it somewhat.
It was too repulsive, so she hadn't looked into it properly, but she could imagine just how many evil deeds they had committed during the Conquest of the Demon World. Massacring civilians was probably just the basics.
But on the other hand, she just felt wronged.
Uwaa, I didn't even do it.
It feels like no matter how kindly I live, it's useless because of the Family's infamy.
Is this the sin that Governor Pastel must bear? If I had just stayed home eating Demon Lord's cooking, there would be no reason to feel this wronged. Power truly comes with a price.
But feeling wronged was one thing, and arguing back when she was born with the Kraft name was another wicked act, so Pastel just went uwaa.
Uwaa!
What do I do! What do I do!
"What do you mean you can't accept it even so."
A Demonkind who had been chatting amicably with Ellie frowned.
The young Demonkind who had ruined the mood replied.
"Exactly as I said."
But both of them, no, everyone here except me is Demonkind, so the titles are too confusing.
How about I give a separate title just for the man who said he can't accept it.
So that person is...
I'll call him Penguin.
Penguin said.
"Everyone is pretending otherwise, but don't you all know that a Kraft shouldn't be here?"
A strange silence flowed. Gazes turned to Pastel one by one, then feigned ignorance. It seemed to show that the peace from just a moment ago was implicitly turning a blind eye.
"Since it is the Demon Lord's first decision, I do not wish to oppose it, but even so, it is by no means a judgment that anyone would rejoice deeply over. Isn't that right?"
Penguin looked around the audience.
"Or do you think I harbor some foolish thoughts because the Demon Lord hasn't actually revealed himself?"
A hand rubbed The Round Table, which was cracked.
Uwaa!
Mr. Penguin, why are you being like this!
Such incredibly justified remarks!
If Mr. Penguin had opened his beak and shot a breath of anger, there would have been many people to refute him.
But if you only speak such cold, hard truths, everyone will freeze solid!
What do I do about this atmosphere!
Pastel's breath caught in the face of the harsh Antarctic environment. Come to think of it, cherry blossoms don't naturally grow in Antarctica.
Ellie was flustered. The man must have been someone she was close to, even someone she normally played chess with, as this sudden situation seemed unfamiliar to her.
"Redmond, why are you suddenly acting like this? The Demon King's absence is for his personal safety. And I already explained that he has a plan for cooperating with the Kraft Family."
Oh my goodness.
Mr. Penguin had a name too.
An unexpected fact.
Oh my goodness.
Pastel pondered.
But I think Penguin is better.
Waddle waddle, flap flap.
After serious consideration, Pastel decided to just keep calling him Mr. Penguin.
Penguin said.
"No, Princess. It is not sudden. I am saying we should address what needs addressing. It is also something we can address precisely because the Demon King is not here. Perhaps it is even the Demon Lord's arrangement out of consideration for us."
Uee, is that so?
Just what kind of self-destructive move did I make?
Ellie frowned.
"Are you trying to argue about the Demon Lord's judgment right now? As you said, it's his first decision."
A sound argument that would make one nod in agreement, if only one didn't know the fact that Ellie had created a Fake Demon Lord just to quickly resume the Demon Realm Railway Project.
Pastel gulped dryly.
"Your words are correct, Princess."
Penguin smiled.
"But what era are we in now? Is it the era of the Great War? Actually, it would be the same even then. Those who have studied history, or those who are interested, will know. The reason we suffered such a terrible defeat in the war was that we couldn't stop the Demon Lord's decision."
Ellie's face stiffened.
"At the time, the head of the Kraft Family openly provoked us. They said they would blow up the entirety of the Sky Island Holy Land, which had been preserved at least for academic research, to expand the military academy. If we had any complaints, we should try to recapture Sky Island within the time limit."
Oh my goodness.
"The Demon Lord said we had to walk into the jaws of death even though we knew it was wrong. What happened after that? We attempted to recapture Sky Island, and after a fierce battle, the Demon Lord was killed in action, and we essentially lost the war. It was inevitable, really. We had to launch a landing operation in a place the Kraft Family had already prepared."
Pastel quietly shrank back.
While attending the academy, she hadn't seen a single pile of stones from the Demon Holy Land.
Does that mean her ancestor had already succeeded in setting the trap, yet still went ahead and blew up the holy land just as a ceremony?
Uee.
Pastel wanted to hide in a mouse hole in the corner of the room, though even then, it felt like Mouse Friend would click his tongue and tell her to get out.
"What era are we in now? The Great War is over, and we have learned many things. Do not be bound by religion. Do not submit to authority. What is wrong is wrong."
Ellie crossed her arms.
"So you're insisting on opposing it?"
"Yes. There is no place for a Kraft here."
"Redmond, are you trying to pick a fight?"
"What is unacceptable and what is acceptable must be distinguished."
A fist struck The Round Table. The cracks split further, making a loud noise.
"I cannot accept something like giving the Kraft Family a monopoly on a national economic project like Railway Construction."
Ellie scrunched up her face.
"So you want to go at it right—"
"I'm sorry!"
As their voices were about to rise, Pastel squeezed her eyes shut and stepped forward.
Ellie! Mr. Penguin! You look like you used to be close, so please don't fight because of me!
"It's all my fault! I apologize!"
Pastel bowed deeply and apologized. Her pink hair drooped down, filling her vision.
"Huh?"
Penguin was flustered. The strength left his clenched fist, and after a moment of thought, he spoke.
"Even if the Marquis apologizes, it doesn't erase what happened."
Uwaa!
Mr. Penguiiin...!
Pastel staggered over and dropped to her knees with a thud.
"Still, since you understand, you can just quietly go back...?"
"Mr. Penguiiin! I'm so sorry! I don't know what words to use to apologize for this wrongdoing! Please blame me for only being able to say I'm sorry!"
Pastel apologized with a tearful face. She felt sorrowful about the circumstances she was born into the moment she was born, and yet she couldn't find a solution, so the tears just came out.
"I'm sorry! Mr. Penguiiin!"
The apologies repeated over and over, clinging to Penguin's legs.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"No, you don't have to go this far."
Penguin was bewildered. Then he looked around. Subtle gazes were coming his way.
"Please don't do this."
His hands hurriedly tried to help the girl up.
"I'm sorry!"
The girl clung to his legs and hung on. Her body was lifted, but when she didn't let go at all, she was set back down.
"Waaah! I'm sooorry!"
Tears welled up on her crying face before falling in drops.
"Really, please don't do this."
Penguin was restless.
Gazes poured in, implying that trying to force a child to apologize to this extent was too much, no matter what.
One of them spoke up bluntly.
"Your words were sound, but isn't it too harsh on an innocent child?"
"This isn't what I wanted."
Ellie slowly approached.
"Of course it isn't. You probably just wanted to make her kneel and apologize for the karma and sins her family committed, not in a private space like this, but in front of a public podium, and force her to declare that she will live her whole life in atonement."
Pink eyes went wide. In an instant, tears flooded out, and her crying grew louder.
"Waaah! I'm sooorry!"
Tears fell in drops.
A tsking sound rang out.
"Guilt by association is too much for a child who hasn't even reached adulthood yet. Not to mention, isn't she in a position where she suffered a tragedy without even benefiting from the Kraft family?"
"That is."
"Tsk, tsk. Man, you should distinguish between the situation and circumstances and watch what you say. How mean."
Penguin didn't know what to do.
"Pastel, come here."
Ellie supported the girl and helped her up. She took her to a corner, gave her a handkerchief, and patted her back.
"What a truly bad person. Bring a cup of green tea over here."
It was a little while later that Pastel calmed down.
She wiped her tears and drank the green tea, only for the bitter taste to snap her back to her senses.
"Ugh, it tastes bad."
Her slightly reddened nose scrunched up.
"Is there no sugar?"
"Why would you put sugar in green tea?"
Ellie looked appalled.
Is that so.
She quietly set down the teacup and looked around.
Mr. Penguin was surrounded by people, making excuses in real time.
—What a disgrace to Demonkind, what are you doing to a child?
—That is, this isn't what I wanted.
—So you felt good up until the child bowed and apologized? I didn't peg you for that kind of person.
—That's not it.
—Don't just shamelessly make excuses and at least apologize as an adult. I'm getting embarrassed just watching.
Pastel rubbed her eyes. Her reddened eyes were moist.
I got sad for no reason and cried so much that it's embarrassing.
Having finished talking with everyone, Mr. Penguin trudged over. He hesitated with drained eyes before opening his mouth.
"It seems my words were too harsh."
Gasp.
A completely kind Demonkind.
Mr. Penguin turned right around and sat in his seat at The Round Table. Then, with drained eyes, he just stared blankly at the ceiling.
The Demonkind flocked back to Princess Ellishita. Rejoicing at the news of the Demon Lord's discovery, they enjoyed the amicable atmosphere right up until the meeting started.
Wow!
Everyone here seems like a good person!
It seems there is no moderately bad Demonkind!